Injection Device Distance Sensor Feedback Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug delivery devices lack reliable feedback mechanisms to inform users about the beginning and end of the dispensing process, particularly for reusable and disposable pen-type devices, which can lead to uncertainty during medication administration.

Innovation Solution

An injection device with a housing, dosing mechanism, and dispensing mechanism that includes a movable piston rod and a spring, equipped with detectors to identify component movements and generate feedback signals, such as audible or tactile clicks, to indicate the start and end of dose dispensing, applicable to various device concepts including manually driven and spring-assisted models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a feedback mechanism is added to indicate the beginning and end of dispensing, then user certainty and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional detectors and feedback generators

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser certaintyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms using detectors (optical, capacitive, inductive, magnetic, or mechanical sensors) that monitor the position of movable components during dispensing. When a component reaches a predefined position indicating the start or end of dispensing, the detector triggers a feedback generator to provide audible, tactile, or visual signals to the user, thereby improving reliability and user certainty without requiring complex additional mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses detectors as intermediary components that indirectly sense the dispensing state by monitoring component positions rather than directly measuring dispensing parameters. This intermediary approach allows reliable feedback generation while keeping the overall device complexity manageable, as the detectors simply monitor positional changes of existing mechanical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If detectors and feedback generators are integrated into the device, then dispensing process monitoring is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing process monitoringVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs detectors and feedback generators with multi-functionality, where the same detector can monitor multiple component positions and the feedback mechanism can serve multiple dispensing events. This universal design approach improves measurement precision for dispensing process monitoring while reducing manufacturing complexity by minimizing the total number of components required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback mechanism is designed to automatically activate based on detector signals from component positions, eliminating the need for separate control systems or manual intervention. This self-service approach improves monitoring precision while simplifying manufacturing, as the system autonomously generates appropriate feedback signals without additional complex control circuitry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of information

If the device provides feedback signals during dispensing, then user awareness of dispensing status is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser awarenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism operates periodically only when needed - specifically when detectors identify that movable components have reached predefined positions indicating the start or end of dispensing. The feedback generator remains inactive during normal dispensing operation and only activates momentarily to provide status information, thereby improving user awareness while minimizing energy consumption through event-driven rather than continuous operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3545996A1Injection device with distance sensor

Publication Date: 2019.10.02 SANOFI SA(FR)

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention refers to an injection device comprising a housing (5) with a receptacle (2) for the product, a dosing mechanism for setting a product dosage to be administered and for displaying the set product dosage and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing the product. The dispensing mechanism may comprise a piston rod (8), which is moveable relative to the housing (5) in a dispensing direction in order to eject the set product dosage in a dispensing stroke corresponding to the set product dosage, and a spring (7b), which is arranged such that the length of the spring (7b) changes during ejecting the set product dosage. The device further comprises a first detector (21) for detecting a change in the length of the spring (7b) and a feedback generator mechanism (20) connected to the first detector (21) for generating a feedback responsive to signals received from the first detector (21).